I awoke and discovered I had fallen asleep on my bed without bothering to go underneath the covers. I sighed, it had only been a bad dream. However, then I realized that even though that may have been a bad dream, what Kyouhei said wasn't...I brushed it off. Perhaps the best thing I could do right now (for my own health) would be to pretend he never said it. I went to the kitchen to make breakfast. I was setting the food down on the table when...
"Ne, Sunako, why did you make an extra portion?" Yuki asked.
I blinked at him. "This is for Kyouhei."
Yuki narrowed his eyes. "Who's Kyouhei?"
I dropped the plate and it crashed to the ground. My stomach twisted into a sickly knot.
Without thinking, I ran to Kyouhei's room and threw open the door and screamed when I caught sight of Ranmaru half dressed.
He chuckled and then smiled his usual lady killer smile. "Silly Sunako, what are you doing in my room?" he drawled.
I didn't even need to guard myself, at this point, his pheromones had no effect on me. Now that I think about it, maybe the only person who does have an effect on me is...I tried to stopped thinking about it and ran to Ranmaru's old room.
Empty.
I stared it for a while, letting the impact sink in.
Kyouhei doesn't exist anymore.
And for some reason, I felt a great pang in my heart.
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At first, I convinced myself it was a good thing--I rejoiced. This was kind of like the time he left after we went to his parents house, only this time it wasn't my fault. Well, I guess this was my fault too, but not the same kind of "fault". Now nobody could boss me around, annoy me, drain me, insult me, fight me. Hell, I had make sure I always cooked the onions and carrots on the side. I even mushed all the vegetables to a pulp so Kyouhei wouldn't notice they were there! Now I could reside in my darkness peacefully.
However on the third day, I started feeling a bit uneasy, and for some reason every time I heard a slight sound I'd look up thinking he was in my room, but that wasn't possible,
Kyouhei wasn't here.
"Humph! I don't need him!" I thought out loud. Really? Who needs such a guy? He...he...and then it happened again. I recalled all the things we'd gone through together again; all the things he'd done for me... I even started thinking of weirder things, like the certain expression he makes when he's amused, or how serious he gets when he's competing for food, or just how easy it is to cheer him up with fired shrimp, but not just any fried shrimp, he liked my fried shrimp the best. I recalled his hands too, how they were big and how they could be warm. I felt sure I was now remarkably miserable. For some reason I didn't talk to Hiroshi-Kun much either, as if it also made me more depressed. For someone who loves being alone, I found I wasn't exactly enjoying the loneliness as much as I'd expected. i could sometimes hear Kyouhei's opinion too, I don't think I mind his thoughts so much, I might even like them.. After all he was...
my best friend.
If I was miserably about 3 seconds ago I was miserable I was practically in torment now. I made my way to the kitchen. I laid down the food in a horrid mood. That's when Takenaga decided to tell me something.
"Ne, Sunako, you need to become a lady soon. Yuki and Ranmaru really don't want to pay rent..." he said.
"Yeah, Sunako why don't you like pink? All cute girls like lip gloss and flowers! You're room so scary." Yuki whined.
"Sunako, I'll show you how to be a real woman. I still think you may have some potential..." Ranmaru chimed in.
"I need to go to my room." I said.
I sat on the floor of my pitch-black space feeling extremely alone. Why did what they say hurt so much? They'd always said stuff like that before. Maybe it was because I felt like it was everyone against me, three people against one. Three...that's right Kyouhei wouldn't have been a forth. Kyouhei was different. At times like these, he would be there, he would say something, or do something, and I would...feel better. He cared about paying rent, but he didn't care if I was a lady or not. In fact, he didn't mind me for who I was. Wait a minute, he didn't just not mind me for who I was...I swallowed an invisible lump in my throat.
He loved me.
He said so.
Before I could even control it. I felt a tear fall down my cheek, and then another, and then another. Before I even knew how it happened, I was full on crying, and my tears told me what I couldn't figure out myself. I missed him and I wanted him to be back. I really, really wanted him to be back. In fact, that was what I was saying out loud to ceiling as if I was speaking to Queen of Darkness herself:
"I want Kyouhei!"
I want him back!"
I want Kyouhei!"
I want Kyouhei!"
"I want Kyouhei!
"I want--"
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My eyes are...open? I slowly registered just who's eyes I was staring into. He was quite close. I realized I was clutching his shirt. I was positive my cheeks now matched his red ones, but I still didn't let go, He didn't move either. I think we stayed like that for a while.
Sunako, are you feeling okay? said a far away voice, probably Yuki's.
Kyouhei broke the stare off first, still clearly blushing (only a little bit of blood escaped my nose).
"What happened?" I asked, realizing I was laying in a hospital bed.
"You got hit on the head by your Jack Skellington globe and lost consciousness. You've been out for about 24 hours now, but the doctor is sure you don't have brain damage. It's kind of odd..." replied Takenaga.
"Ne Sunako, you should have seen how Kyouhei reacted! I've never seen anything like it. I'm sure he didn't he didn't sleep at all." Ranmaru said; he then proceeded to wink at the nurse for some reason.
Kyouhei gave him the death glare and I just looked at him thoughtfully.
His face, his hair, his hands...it was all there.
I smiled despite myself. He caught me grinning and then said rather firmly,
"Oi! I want shrimp!"
I laughed.
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It had been a week since the "globe" accident. Kyouhei hung around often, but I didn't mind. He came to my room and still flipped through books and occasionally watched what I was watching. I decided he's been quieter than usual. Is he being shy? I had to smile at the thought of Kyouhei being shy. He probably thinks I'd forgotten what he said after I got hit on the head, but I haven't. I remember it very well. This probably wasn't easy for his pride. I think it was actually brave of him...I should be brave too. I took a deep breath and decided to enter a world that isn't as safe as the world I'm in now. it's a world of unknowns, but it must be worth it. For once in my life, I decided to take this chance. Maybe I have the confidence now. I just don't want a world without Kyouhei. I guess I know that now.
Kyouhei was about to leave, I grabbed his hand to stop him. I got to see the shock on his face. "I'm gonna have to get used to that face." I thought, imagining all the nosebleeds in the future.
"I'm not a lady." I said
His face softened.
"I know." he said
"I like blood."
"I know."
"I don't like being vulnerable."
"I know."
"I can be really stubborn."
"I know."
"I can be violent."
"I know."
"I'm not remotely girly."
"I know."
"I'm an escapist."
"I know."
"I talk to dolls."
"I know."
"I like carrots."
"I know."
"I get nose bleeds."
"I know."
"I love gore."
"I know."
"I love you too."
"I kno--"
He froze and so did my heart. I stared at his hand.
When he finally moved, he held my face with his hands.
His hands were warm. I marveled at the feeling.
He looked me straight in the eye, and I could see my expression in his: a demure, smoldering joy.
Then he pulled me into a hug and said, "You know, I think you're my best friend."
I smiled.
"I know." I said.
I was beginning to get accustomed to the feel of his body--his muscles, his warm, his heart beat, when he pulled back.
He hesitated for only a moment, then he held my chin, leaned closer,
and kissed me.
And this time, I didn't freak out, even though this kiss did mean something.
It meant a lot.
And I decided the unknown would surely be worth it.
And somewhere above or below or wherever, the Queen of Darkness and the King of Light smirked at each other.
Oh and one more thing. Kyouhei may have kissed me first, but if he thinks he's going to have all the control in this relationship,
He's definitely wrong--I think I just may have discovered a loophole in his drop-kick. : )
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When Ranmaru, Yuki, and Takenaga finally realized what had happened. They were wondering if it was such a good idea after all. For they weren't exactly sure what was scarier: Sunako and Kyouhei apart or Sunako and Kyouhei together.
Noi, however, will never give up on her dream for a double date....
And the Land Lady might already be scoping wedding dresses...
Yikes!